The main pattern is done by crocheting a row of single crochet. The next row is a “skip one, 2 double in the next single, double in the next single, then a double in the singe that was originally skipped.”

The picture below is a basic diagram of the pattern.

The pattern continues for an entire skein. I alternated nine skeins in varying shades of blue.

There is a little person on the way in a number of weeks, so it was time to get ready!

Here are a few photos showing when I started. I was in flight. The seat trays were up, so this first little bit is on my lap.

The pattern is a basic half-double, then chain one.

As you can see by the time the plane landed, less than two hours later, I was able to make some progress!

I managed to take a few photos even though there were shadows across the seat tray.

I continued the day after my travels. When it was approximately 30” square I continued the pattern around each side. The corners were half-double, chain two, half-double. I continued for several rounds.

The last row is half-doubles in the chain spaces all the way around. The corners were half-double, chain two, half-double, same as all the other corners.

Well…the bag contained a hat and a pair of booties! They are for a little guy who was is only a few weeks old.

By the time cold weather rolls around he should be able to wear them!

The hat is made using a variation on a basic hat pattern.

Some hat patterns call for a rectangle that is joined at a seam to form a tube. From there a piece of yarn runs through the top edge and is pulled tight like a drawstring. Turn it inside out and weave in all the edges – and there you have it!

I varied this basic pattern.

I used basic ribbing in half-double crochet to form a rectangle. (Half-double in the back loop only.)

Once I folded the rectangle in half and made the seam, I made a row of single crochet around the top, decreasing (single crochet two together) every six stiches. (Yes, count the stiches first!)

The next row was decreased every five stiches. The next row was decreased every four stiches.

The reason for doing this is to have less bulk when you finally do insert a drawstring and pull it closed!

The little mukluks are a favorite pattern. I’ve made many pair of these. I love to watch the little booties take shape! Once you’re done they look like they’re going to march away!